Chapter 25: Object-Oriented (1)
25 – Object-Oriented (1)
After each had drawn their sword, it was time for the young disciples to compete.
Yuanxiao hugged his peachwood sword, trembling with fear, unable to do anything except twirl a single sword flourish. He was eliminated in the first round and returned to Xiaoyaozi’s side.
Xiaoyaozi affectionately patted Yuanxiao’s head. “You have the college entrance exams to focus on, so naturally you can’t devote too much effort to cultivation. You can perform better next year.”
Yuanxiao, relieved at not being scolded by his master, happily sat down beside Lin Xun.
They were seated on a high platform overlooking an open square below, where disciples sparred in pairs. The winners were then divided into two groups, and so on, until rankings were determined.
The elders sat on the high platform, commenting on the disciples’ performances. Even among cultivators, there was a competitive spirit. Whichever disciple performed well brought honor to their master and sect, earning praise and admiration from fellow cultivators.
—Currently on the field was Lay Disciple Chang Ji, a disciple of Master Wanchan.
Chang Ji had not taken monastic vows, his hair still thick and black, but he looked very much like a monk—with dignified features, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, exuding an air of asceticism and compassion. It was said he was pursuing a doctorate in religious studies in the capital and planned to formally take vows upon graduation.
His opponent was Zhao Yijian, a disciple of the “Gushan Jian” from the Southern Sea Sword Sect, whose swordplay was quite flashy.
As Zhao Yijian drew his sword, his techniques shifted and transformed. Countless sword lights seemed to rise simultaneously in the arena, weaving into a net that descended upon Chang Ji.
Danyangzi of Qingcheng remarked, “The Southern Sea sword techniques are like heavenly maidens scattering flowers. Brother Gushan, you’ve taught him well.”
Gushan Jian replied, “Haha, Brother Xiaoyao, you flatter me.”
On the other side, Chang Ji held a golden staff in one hand while forming a Buddhist mudra with the other, murmuring incantations under his breath. He struck the ground with the base of his staff!
An invisible surge of Qi seemed to spread across the arena, and a faint golden protective barrier shimmered around Chang Ji.
Xiaoyaozi said, “The Buddhist Golden Bell Shield technique—Young Friend Chang Ji has already mastered ninety percent of its essence. Truly a promising talent.”
Master Wanchan sighed, “Though his martial skills are refined, I still feel his understanding of Buddhist teachings is somewhat lacking.”
—Though he was criticizing his own disciple, anyone with ears could hear the pride in Master Wanchan’s voice.
Lin Xun quietly listened to the elders’ conversations, which sounded exactly like the tone used in WeChat group chats, while observing the data within the two combatants.
Zhao Yijian’s sword was composed of several interacting data streams, while Chang Ji’s Golden Bell Shield was an intricate cyclic structure.
He noted it down, thinking it might be useful someday.
As he was studying, someone patted his shoulder.
He turned to see Old Man Huo.
“Disciple,” Old Man Huo drawled, “what do you think of your senior brothers’ and sisters’ superb martial skills?”
Lin Xun felt like a student facing a strict homeroom teacher and replied dutifully, “They are all very impressive. I cannot compare.”
“It’s good that you understand,” Old Man Huo said earnestly. “Have you gained any insights into spiritual Qi recently?”
Lin Xun didn’t know what to say for a moment.
In the end, he could only admit honestly, “I haven’t felt anything yet.”
Old Man Huo also seemed troubled. “What should we do about this?”
After pondering for a while, he suggested, “Perhaps you could ask Little Yuanxiao.”
Lin Xun shook his head. “Master, I don’t think I can comprehend it.”
Old Man Huo frowned deeply. “Though your comprehension may be lacking, you must not belittle yourself!”
Lin Xun lay back and accepted his master’s criticism.
There was nothing he could do about it—he truly could only see code, not spiritual energy.
Old Man Huo continued, “From now on, you must—”
Just as he was speaking, he was interrupted.
It was a woman dressed in light green robes, around thirty years old. Lin Xun had seen her the day before—she was Bihai Xianzi of the Alchemy Sect, most skilled in refining elixirs.
Bihai Xianzi said, “Azure Peak True Lord.”
Old Man Huo replied, “Xianzi, you’ve come.”
Bihai Xianzi sat down in the chair beside Old Man Huo, her brows slightly furrowed as if carrying a hint of apology. “True Lord, a few days ago, you entrusted me with refining an elixir to expel the accumulated impurities in your meridians. I have been researching it these past few days.”
Old Man Huo said, “I’ve troubled you, Xianzi.”
“It is no trouble,” Xianzi replied. “However, the impurities accumulated in your meridians over the years are too dense. Ordinary elixirs cannot expel them. If we use a potent formula, one ingredient—the ‘Thousand-Leaf Longevity Lotus’—is extremely rare in this world.”
“This…” Old Man Huo stroked his beard. “So, the elixir is difficult to refine?”
Bihai Xianzi said, “If the True Lord can obtain the Thousand-Leaf Longevity Lotus, perhaps it might be possible… As for the payment you previously gave me, I have already transferred it back to you. Please remember to check your account.”
“Very well,” Old Man Huo said. “You have worked hard, Xianzi.”
“There is no need for formalities, True Lord,” Bihai Xianzi said as she took out a small jade vial from her sleeve and handed it to Lin Xun. “Since I cannot refine the elixir for you, I offer this Foundation Establishment Pill to Lin Xun as an apology.”
“Absolutely not,” Old Man Huo stood up. “This item is too precious. I dare not accept it.”
Bihai Xianzi looked at Lin Xun and smiled gently. “Just now, I heard the True Lord say that Lin Xun still lacks sufficient perception of spiritual energy. After taking this pill, it may be of some help—nurturing disciples of the Immortal Sect is our duty, after all. It is nothing significant.”
After some back-and-forth, Old Man Huo ultimately conceded defeat and signaled with his eyes for Lin Xun to accept the pill.
Lin Xun obediently said, “Thank you, Senior Bihai.”
The smile in Bihai Xianzi’s eyes visibly deepened. “Take it now. It will make your future Foundation Establishment much smoother.”
Lin Xun asked, “Should I take it directly?”
Bihai Xianzi replied, “Yes. This pill can strengthen your foundation, replenish your Qi, and increase the chances of successful Foundation Establishment by fifty percent for disciples in the Qi Refining Stage.”
At this point, Xianzi smiled. “Recently, I have been refining the pill formula. If it works well for you, I will produce more and distribute them to young disciples in the future.”
Old Man Huo said, “Xianzi’s generosity is admirable. I am truly humbled.”
Xianzi smiled at Lin Xun. “Take it quickly, Lin Xun. If left for too long, the spiritual energy will dissipate. It’s best to take it now.”
Her tone was so gentle, it was almost like a mother doting on her son.
Lin Xun removed the jade stopper, turned the vial upside down, and tapped it into his palm—a perfectly round pill rolled out.
The pill was crystal white, about the size of a walnut, and emitted a peculiar fragrance.
Lin Xun took a bite, and something immediately melted in his mouth, turning into liquid that he swallowed.
The taste was somewhat peculiar, like the calcium supplement oral solution he drank as a child—the blue bottle kind.
He finished the pill in three bites, swallowing it completely.
The next moment, Lin Xun felt a slight warmth spreading throughout his body.
And in the next moment, a mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
“Consuming item ‘Foundation Establishment Pill’, progress increased by fifty percent. Foundation Establishment process completed ahead of schedule. System modification in progress, please wait.”
Lin Xun widened his eyes.
In his mind, he heard the ticking sound of a second hand, as if counting down.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—
“System upgrade completed. Skill tree unlocked.”
“Foundation Establishment completed. Spiritual Power 30. Fund reward being issued, please wait patiently.”
Lin Xun: “…”
That’s right. Today was the fifth day since he had written an infinite loop and entered the Foundation Establishment process. According to the original progress, he should have completed Foundation Establishment five days later.
But Bihai Xianzi had given him a pill, increasing his progress by fifty percent—instantly filling the progress bar and completing his Foundation Establishment!
He raised his head, meeting Bihai Xianzi’s gaze.
Bihai Xianzi’s lips parted slightly, her eyes somewhat dazed.
He turned to look at his master.
His master’s expression was no different from Bihai Xianzi’s.
He: “I…”
Bihai Xianzi seemed to suddenly snap awake, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other on his pulse: “Xun’er, you… you’ve established your foundation?”
Lin Xun felt his senses, which had instantly sharpened by another level, and replied: “It seems so.”
Bihai Xianzi withdrew her hands, disbelieving: “My pill can actually make someone establish their foundation from nothing?”
…—This commotion immediately attracted the other seniors nearby.
For a moment, Lin Xun once again became the focus of everyone’s attention—this time, it was no longer just the female seniors’ focus, but everyone’s.
Xiaoyaozi: “This… this… Bihai Xianzi, has your alchemy skill reached such heights?”
Bihai Xianzi shook her head: “I don’t know either.”
As she spoke, she saw Yuanxiao and beckoned: “Little Yuanxiao, come here.”
Yuanxiao hesitantly stepped forward, and Bihai Xianzi also gave him a Foundation Establishment Pill.
Yuanxiao obediently swallowed it.
—Nothing happened.
Yuanxiao blinked innocently.
Bihai Xianzi said: “Good. That pill doesn’t have such powerful effects. This is the normal effect.”
Then she looked at Lin Xun: “Xun’er must have a special constitution that particularly resonates with the pill’s effects, resulting in this miraculous outcome.”
Old Man Huo was overjoyed, while Xiaoyaozi looked at Yuanxiao, who was still at the Qi Refining Stage, seeming somewhat disappointed.
For a while, everyone began congratulating Old Man Huo on gaining a high-level Foundation Establishment disciple.
Old Man Huo accepted everyone’s praise, also unable to contain his joy. The high platform was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, to the point that everyone completely forgot to investigate the fact that Lin Xun couldn’t even sense Qi.
The day quickly passed. The junior disciples’ competition concluded, with Wanchan Dashi’s disciple Chang Ji performing steadily throughout and taking first place, receiving a Buddha Eye Stone that could be embedded in a staff to greatly enhance the power of a magical instrument. The second-place winner received a Foundation Establishment Pill. The third place was a young girl from the Nanzhao family. Butterfly Madam didn’t give her a cultivation-related reward but said: “When we return, Master will arrange a good script for you.”
The girl was extremely happy.
Lin Xun didn’t pay much attention to that side.
He was currently secretly sitting behind Old Man Huo, taking advantage of his lack of vigilance to plant a Trojan.
Then, he quickly began operating on the keyboard, playing the role of a proper computer manager, thoroughly cleaning out his master’s memory.
The amount of junk data was simply beyond imagination—no wonder even Bihai Xianzi couldn’t cure it.
Wrapping things up, Old Man Huo suddenly turned his head: “The wires aren’t even connected, what are you typing?”
Lin Xun: “Practicing my typing speed.”
“Hmm.” Old Man Huo looked at him, then at the little girl who had received a surprise reward and was now rolling in Butterfly Madam’s arms, acting spoiled, and seemed thoughtful: “Hmph, they all got rewards, my disciple can’t be left out either.”
Lin Xun: “After all, I didn’t go to spar with everyone.”
“What does that matter!” Old Man Huo said: “You made a contribution by reaching Foundation Establishment today. As your master, I can give you a reward if I want to. I can’t let other sects outdo us.”
Lin Xun blinked.
Then he saw Old Man Huo take out his phone and open a search engine: “Yesterday I heard little Yuanxiao talking to his master about some gaming pod. Seeing you tinkering with keyboards all day, you seem like a gamer. Let me check how much it costs.”
Lin Xun thought to himself, don’t check. Spending two hundred thousand on a “gaming thing” would probably seem outrageous to you, old man.
“Two hundred thousand?” He heard Old Man Huo say: “That’s not expensive.”
Lin Xun: “…”
I was wrong.
Old Man Huo, who owns fifty properties, naturally has a different perspective on money than I do.
As he was thinking this, he saw Old Man Huo tapping on Galaxy’s official website, somewhat annoyed: “Why do I have to fill out a questionnaire?”
Lin Xun: “I’ll do it for you.”
Old Man Huo waved his hand: “I hate these annoying things the most in my life.”
He closed the webpage and opened WeChat: “Hmph, I refuse to buy from you.”
Lin Xun felt his chance at a holographic gaming pod slipping away, and his heart ached a little.
The next second, he suddenly saw Old Man Huo raise his phone: “There’s a small shop that needs to pay rent today. I’ll give them your bank account number and have them transfer the money directly to you. Go have fun on your own.”
Lin Xun obediently stood by his master’s side: “…How much is it?”
Old Man Huo: “Five hundred thousand.”
Lin Xun: “”
He said: “Master, that’s too much.”
“Too much what.” Old Man Huo said calmly: “You’re still young, inexperienced, that’s why you think it’s a lot of money. Money is just a number. Having more is useless anyway.”
Lin Xun didn’t argue further.
After all, to an old man with fifty properties, money really is just a number.
—While they were handing out and receiving rewards on their side, the award ceremony over there was also mostly finished.
Yesterday, the seniors discussed and decided that each sect would send people to station in the capital. Today, the younger generation sparred, confirming that the next generation has promising talent. The purpose of the Dharma Assembly had been achieved. After staying one more night in Qingcheng, everyone would return home.
But there was still one problem.
—How to bring the Chixiao Longque Sword to the capital?
Taking it on a plane or train naturally wouldn’t work—security would confiscate it immediately. Shipping it wouldn’t work either—they definitely wouldn’t accept it.
The seniors were afraid of being accused of carrying controlled weapons or being charged with trafficking cultural relics. They were at an impasse for a while, but finally decided to hire a large cargo truck—safe and reliable.
Then they dispersed to rest.
On the way, Lin Xun was both looking forward to the upgraded System Space and frantically calculating whether he could make it to the movie with Dong Jun on time tomorrow. Only when his phone suddenly buzzed after he entered his guest room door did he snap back to reality.
It was a transfer notification. Five hundred thousand had been deposited into his account, with the note “rent.”
The System spoke: “Reward distribution complete. Next stage main quest unlocked. Please claim it promptly.”
At the same time, Old Man Huo’s surprised and delighted voice suddenly rang out from the next room: “Huh? How did all my meridians suddenly heal completely?”
Immediately afterward, a message from Old Man Huo popped up in the “Loving Family” group chat.
Wuji-Azure Peak True Lord: Good news. My meridians have suddenly healed on their own, perhaps because I’m in a particularly good mood today!
Lin Xun, quietly holding onto the five hundred thousand, kept his achievements hidden and typed cheerfully in the WeChat interface, being the first to send a message.
Wuji-Lin Suan: Congratulations, Master! Clap clap clap clap clap
Right after that—
Qingcheng-Xiaoyaozi: Congratulations, Master! Clap clap clap clap clap
【Qingcheng-Xiaoyaozi has withdrawn a message.】